With the clock ticking down toward Thursday's NBA trade deadline, the Spurs could be active participants.

They had been linked to interest in New York center Willy Hernangomez, who was dealt to Charlotte on Wednesday. There was also reported interest in Detroit big man Stanley Roberts, who for now appears poised to remain in the Motor City.

Their next guard could be a guard with a name familiar to college basketball fans in Texas: Los Angeles Clipper (maybe) for a day Avery Bradley.

The 27-year-old University of Texas alum joined the Clippers last week as part of the deal that sent All-Star forward Blake Griffin to Detroit. With the Clippers now in rebuilding mode, they seem motivated to pass Bradley on to the highest bidder.

According to the New York Times' Marc Stein, the Spurs could be one of those suitors. Stein reports the Clippers are most interested in a first-round pick, which would be the centerpiece of a potential deal.

The Spurs have emerged as a trade suitor for the Clippers' Avery Bradley, according to league sources

The Spurs would also have to part with a player to make the trade work under NBA rules, which could put Patty Mills on the block. Currently serving as the Spurs' second-unit shooting guard, Mills' role would be rendered redundant were Bradley to come to San Antonio.

Mills re-signed with the Spurs at four years and $50 million contract last summer. It is unclear how such a contract would fit into the Clippers' long-term reconstruction plans.

If the Spurs are able to pull it off, Bradley's addition would be a welcome one for a team missing two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard.

Though Bradley does not play Leonard's position -- he is a 6-foot-2 combo guard, not a small forward -- he would offer a boost to the Spurs' perimeter defense. Bradley was named to an NBA All-Defensive team twice in his first five professional seasons in Boston.

Bradley owns a career scoring averaging of 12.4 points per game, including a high of 16.3 points in 2016-17 with the Celtics.